State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Release 25-01 April 9, 2025

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10.4 Appendix D: Supportive Services Allowable Expenses

Item	Almost Always	Sometimes	Never	Other Details
Auto insurance			X
Auto ownership tag, title, licensing		X		Only if required for FSET participation and no other transportation option is available.
Auto purchase			X
Auto repairs		X		Only under specific conditions.*
Background checks		X		Only if required for employment and training.
Books	X
Clothing for job interview	X
Clothing required for a job		X		Uniforms almost always. Otherwise, clothing costs are limited and must be reasonable and necessary for employment as a part of job retention.
Commercial driver’s license		X		Only if required for employment.
Computers, laptops, etc.			X
Course registration fees	X
Dental work		X		To the extent that it is required for employment and as funds allow for reimbursement. Dental work costs are limited to minor work, such as a cleaning. Major work, such as oral surgery, bridge work, braces, and dentures, are not allowable expenses.
Dependent care costs	X
Driver license applications and renewal fees		X		Must be reasonable and necessary for participation in an employment and training component or employment as a part of job retention.
Drug/alcohol counseling			X	Refer participant to another agency.
Drug tests		X		Only if required for employment.
Equipment		X		Must be reasonable and necessary for participation in an employment and training component or employment as a part of job retention.
Fines			X	No exceptions for any type.
Fingerprinting		X		Only if required for employment.
Gas	X			Includes reimbursement for gas when it is reasonable and necessary for the participant to rely on someone else to provide transport to and from assigned FSET activities.
Incentives			X	Supportive services must be both reasonable and necessary for FSET participation. FSET workers cannot provide supportive services as incentives or rewards for enrollment or participation in FSET under any circumstances.
Legal services		X		Must be very minor (such as, notary services) and directly related to employment.
Licensing and bonding fees for work or work experience	X
Living expenses and stipends			X
Medical expense		X		Only if minor and required for employment, such as a tuberculosis test.
Mental health counseling or treatment			X	Refer participant to appropriate agency.
Relocation expenses		X		Must be reasonable and necessary for employment as part of a job retention component.
Safety items (on the job)	X
Student activity fees		X		Only if required to participate in class.
Student loans			X	Participants should apply for financial aid.
Taxi driver’s license		X		Only if required for employment.
Test fees		X		Must be directly applicable to employment and all other funding sources exhausted.
Temporary housing		X		Housing assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis for emergency situations, and only when all other funding sources have been exhausted. The rationale for housing assistance must also be documented in PIN comments in the FSET Tool. Housing assistance may be provided for a period of one month maximum per an individual’s FoodShare certification period.**
Tools		X		Must be reasonable and necessary for participation in an employment and training component or employment as part of job retention.
Training materials	X
Transportation expenses (gas, bus fare)	X
Tuition and fees		X
Uniforms	X
Union dues		X		Only if required for employment.
Vision needs (glasses or eye exam)		X		Must be reasonable and necessary for participation in an employment and training component or employment as a part of job retention.

*Auto repairs may be an allowable expense if all of the following conditions are met:

• The repairs are reasonable and necessary for participation in an approved FSET activity
• The FSET volunteer resides in a rural county or area of the state where there is no or very limited public transportation
• Carpooling is not a realistic option
• Cost estimates are verified from at least two auto repair shops
• The title of the auto is registered in the name of the FSET volunteer
• The FSET volunteer holds a valid driver’s license
• The cost of the repairs will not exceed the value of the auto
• Repairs are not for cosmetic reasons
• Reimbursement is limited to a one-time expense
• The agency can guarantee that the repairs cannot be paid by another source

Example 1:

Lenny applies and becomes eligible for FoodShare in January 2019 and maintains eligibility until his next recertification in December 31, 2019. Lenny received temporary housing assistance in May 2019. Lenny would again become eligible for another month of temporary housing assistance on January 1, 2020, the first month of the new certification period.

 

Example 2:

Ivy applies and becomes eligible for FoodShare in January 2019 and receives temporary housing assistance in February 2019. Ivy loses FoodShare eligibility in May 2019 and reapplies and regains eligibility in August 2019. Ivy is again eligible for temporary housing assistance after her new application in August 2019.

 

Example 3:

Chrissy and her husband, Phil, apply and become eligible for FoodShare in January 2019. Chrissy receives temporary housing assistance in February 2019. In June 2019 Chrissy loses FoodShare eligibility due to three TLBs while her husband, Phil, remains eligible through December 2019. Chrissy regains eligibility for FoodShare by meeting the FoodShare work requirement in June 2019. Chrissy would not be eligible for temporary housing assistance until January 2020, the first month of the new certification period.

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Publication Number: P-00419